I first stumbled across this plant in the shore of the lower Flathead River. It gave me pause, first because it was absolutely stunningly gorgeous, and second because it was growing with the lower part of the plant fully submerged in the flowing water. I wasn't sure how well a species like this would do in cultivation, but I'm always down for a challenge. Turns out, it does pretty well.
 
Purple dragon-head is a beautiful little perennial with fleshy bright green foliage and neat rows of vivid pink tubular flowers held on thick stalks. The flowers have a penstemon look to them, but this guy is actually in the mint family. It is rhizomatous, but seems to spread slowly. It grows naturally in moist to wet soils along streams and rivers, and is especially fond of cobbles. However, it has been thriving at the nursery in normal potting mix and compost blends, assuming the moisture is kept relatively stable.
 
This is one of those species you probably aren't going to landscape your whole garden with, but if you have a little area you are diligent about watering, and want some eye candy, give it a try. It grows naturally on the shore with sneezeweed, self-heal, wild chives, plains coreopsis, and wild mint. I think it might also go well with wild hollyhock (space appropriately though), purple monkeyflower, and blue flag iris. Also a great candidate for container gardening.
 
This is a new species for Pipilo. If you try it, please let me know how it goes!